Chapter VIII - The Tylic War (233 - 232 BC)
A. Causes
The Danube. With a length of 2.857 kilometer the second longest river in Europe. When Rome established its rule in the former Kingdom of Illyria in 269 BC, it came across this large stream with a width of at least 400 meter and immediately recognized its potential to be a natural border between the civilized world and the "barbaricum".
Around 260 BC Rome advanced to the east with the foundation of Moesi. Excavations along the Danube prove the existence of several legionary camps on both sides of the Danube. As it seems, Rome intended to control the river to prevent migrations from the north into its territory and, on the other hand, further expansion of other realms to the north. Thus, Rome`s interests were heading for collision with its neighbors`.
The tribal Kingdom of Tylis was a result of the great Celtic invasion in the early 3rd century BC. Almost simultaneously Macedonia and Illyria tried to destroy it, but both were defeated, with Illyria losing the province of Tauletani. Afterward it was in the favorable position to expand its territory to the north. Settlement traces in the ancient city of Seuthopolis indicate, that it occupied the area between Danube and the Black Sea in the 250`s BC.
Rome monitored the situation with mistrust. Allegedly there was a diplomatic mission around 240 BC, but no reports about its results. In late 234 BC, Tylis took the leap across the Danube, established the colony of Sucidava and declared war on the tribe of the Dacians.
Fig. 6: The Balkans in early 233 BC
Rome reacted outraged. It send Drusus Sempronius Blaesus as envoy to Tylis in order to demand their retreat. The current Chief of Tylis was Arvirargus Sinatid, a man in his forties and, according to Macedonian sources, an inconstant personality. He received Sempronius, but let him execute right away
(26). Subsequently Rome declared war.
B. Progress
Rome had two Legions stationed in Dalmatia, the Legio III Illyricorum and the recently deployed Legio V Alaudae. The next one and a half year were dominated by their commanders. Secundus Sulpicius Gallus was Governor of the Region Moesia Superior and lead the Legio V, while the Legio III was allocated to Publius Valerius Falto
(27).
The campaign began promising. Publius Valerius marched along the Adriatic coast toward Epidamnos. After short preparations he ordered an assault and the city was taken by storm. Meanwhile, Secundus Sulpicius stayed in Moesia. He expected the Tylic commander to attack, what he did. In a large battle, the Tylic force was severely beaten. Sulicius pursued it and defeated it again in the vicinity of Sucidava
(28). The city itself surrendered shortly later.
It was late summer 233 BC, and apparently the two commanders reorganized their strategy. Sulpicius now advanced south and captured the cities of Naissus and, in early 232 BC, Bylazora. After that he returned to Moesia in order to replenish his forces and remained there until the war was over.
In the meantime Publius Valerius was seeking the Tylic army and found it in Suci, where it tried to recapture the city. Publius won the battle and pursued the survivors to Triballi, where he destroyed the remnants of the Tylic force. In the next months he conquered Triballi and Maedi. In May, he arrived in Thracia to besiege the Tylic capital. Arriving there, he met the Dacian force.
The Dacians, exploiting the roman successes, had seized the city of Seuthopolis in Crobobizi and advanced to Thracia. The Tylic Chief Arvirargus realized, that the Dacians were the weaker enemy and managed to conclude a separate peace with them. Shortly after, the Dacians evacuated Thracia and Crobobizi and crossed the Danube to return home
(29).
Publius Valerius was left with two possibilities. Either stay there and besiege the capital or march north to seize Seuthopolis. He decided for the latter. In late September, Seuthopolis surrendered after a siege of only two months.
In the aftermath, messengers from Arvirargus appeared and sued for peace. Rome accepted, but demanded with the provinces of Tauletani, Dardania, Suci and Crobobizi a large part of the Tylic territory. With Tylis being bankrupt and defenseless, Arvirargus had to agree.
Fig. 7: The Balkans in late 232 BC
C. Result
The Tylic War is always considered to be a textbook example for a short and successful campaign in order to implement a strategic design.
Rome`s major war goal was to hinder Tylis (or any other country) to expand to the north. And from 232 BC on, the roman territory blocked any such attempt. A spin off from this war was, that Tylis lost its Hegemony in the Balkans and was reduced to a medium sized power. Not strong enough to pose a serious threat, but not too weak to be an easy target for its neighbor Macedonia. Finally, Rome shared a common border with Macedonia now, thus being a Sword of Damocles above the Macedonian King`s head.
(26) His tongue was cut out before they beheaded him. His head was thrown on the ground in front of a legionary camp.
(27) At this time, he was 49 years old and looked back to a colorful career of 15 years. He is described as both a military genius as well as an extremely charismatic person and the Republic always needed his abilities as much as it feared his ambitions. As Governor of Tarraconensis he defeated the invading barbarians in the early 240`s, but was removed from his position due to allegations, that the loyalty of the Legio IV toward him exceeded those toward the Republic. In 232 BC, when the Tylic War was over, he was granted a Triumph but immediately stripped off his command.
(28) There is a vague report by Gaius Sutonius about these battles. According to his testimony, Tylis fielded about 25.000 men and lost about three quarters of them.
(29) Arvirargus paid dearly for this agreement. The Dacians received 200 attic Talents (= 7,2 tons) of Silver with a today`s market value of about 4,5 Million Euro. According to a roman witness, there wasn`t enough silver left in Tylis to forge a simple wedding ring.